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Type: Articles
Published: 2010-10-05
Page range: 59–64
Abstract views: 30
PDF downloaded: 1

Phylogenetic relationships of the gecko genus Carinatogecko (Reptilia: Gekkonidae)

Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Viničná 7, CZ-128 44 Praha 2, Czech Republic
Reptilia Cyrtopodion lizards Mediodactylus mtDNA phylogeny

Abstract

The gecko genus Carinatogecko comprises two species endemic to the foothills of the Zagros Mountains, in Iran and Iraq. Both species are poorly known and to date they are known only from very few records. The phylogenetic affiliation of the genus has been only hypothesized. The aim of this study was to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the genus by analyzing partial sequences of the mitochondrial 12S rRNA and cytochrome b genes. All phylogenetic analyses performed support placing the genus Carinatogecko within the genus Mediodactylus. Taxonomic relevance of both species of the genus Carinatogecko based on morphological characters is discussed along with nomenclatural implications of our findings.

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